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- The Browns are working on a deal to pay David Njoku.
- The fanbase isn’t so sure it’s a good idea.
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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku is not in attendance for the team’s voluntary OTAs this week. He is awaiting a new contract extension and the two sides are reportedly very close to an agreement.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Njoku’s camp and the Browns are hashing out his guaranteed money. Cabot is also reporting that both parties have agreed on a yearly average salary worth between $13 and $14 million.
Wherever that number ends up, it will make him the fifth-highest paid tight end in the league. Only George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Dallas Goedert and Mark Andrews will be paid more.
Despite the mutual agreement on yearly average, they cannot come to an understanding on how much money will be guaranteed versus incentive-based. The hope is to have things settled as soon as this week so that Njoku will report to camp and develop a relationship with his new quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Over the course of his five year career, Njoku has been good, not great. He has caught 148 passes for 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns in 65 games with 36 starts.
The belief in Cleveland is that the 6-foot-4, 264-pound former Miami Hurricane can take a major step forward in 2022 with Watson under center. While the team hopes that will come true, there are some people who aren’t so sure.
After the report came out about David Njoku’s $13/14 million salary, there were a lot of Browns fans and football fans quick to question the move.
https://twitter.com/BrownsNDodgers/status/1529487296571101184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1529487296571101184%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthespun.com%2Fnfl%2Fafc-north%2Fcleveland-browns%2Ffans-react-to-browns-being-close-to-deal-with-david-njoku
I like Njoku a lot but definitely not enough to pay him more than Hunter Henry. 😬 https://t.co/Y1S4xXVhS6
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) May 25, 2022
I don’t get this at all. Make him prove it this season that his potential is real. https://t.co/w5YyaWrvA6
— Cleveland now Tampa! (@ClevelandNowFL) May 25, 2022
That is absurd money for a dude who’s never been to a pro bowl. Never even been an alternate.
— Scottkwou (@Scottkwou) May 25, 2022
Was kind of hoping they wouldn’t extend him before the season. At least not at those numbers. He has yet to do anything.
— Captain Conrad (Ryan Moore) (@CaptainConrad27) May 25, 2022
An average of 30 catches, 400 yards, & 4 TDs is now worth $13M per year?
— butter-side up (@Yooks_Zooks) May 25, 2022
I don’t get it, What the hell has this guy done???
— Nicholas Chapman (@ChapDaddy87) May 25, 2022
I can’t believe we as a team are forced to cater to such an inconsistent and painfully above average TE. I hope he breaks out, or this deal will make us look like fools.
— Logan (@scoutingbylogan) May 25, 2022
It will be interesting to see whether the bet on Njoku pays out for the Browns. We know that it is paying out for the tight end.